Mishawaka High alumni set annual blood drive

September 05, 2006|LAUREEN FAGAN Tribune Staff Writer

Alumni of Mishawaka High School want to welcome members of the public, too, to their annual blood drive for South Bend Medical Foundation. The drive, now in its fifth year, will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge, 1825 E. 12th St., Mishawaka. "We always have a blood drive in September," said John Moore, coordinator of the alumni group. "South Bend Medical Foundation sends over their mobile unit with six people, and they set up three drawing chairs." Moore said alumni members usually begin arriving in the morning -- before the usual noon luncheon time -- to line up for their blood donations. "Through 2 o'clock, we hope to have and usually get 30 donors and 30 pints of blood," Moore said. "We give an arm's length of half-and-half tickets for donating." Which means, of course, some lucky winners take home a door prize or two, including a main package of chocolate, a state flag, cups and other small items. Packaged, Moore said, in a smart tote with a South Bend Medical Foundation logo. "It's amazing," said Moore, whose personal commitment to donating blood spans 50 years. "We have young members, and we have old members that come in and donate," he said. "It's one way that we think that we can give back something to the community." Moore, a pheresis donor eligible to give platelets every 15 days, said he likes donating especially on behalf of children with leukemia. Other members, he said, mentioned family members who have needed blood. "This is a way to return that favor by donating for someone else," Moore explained. Staff writer Laureen Fagan: lfagan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6344